Onam
Onam is a festival of flowers. It falls in the month of Shravan or
Bhadon (August-September). During this period the harvest are over and
the farmers will be in a festive mood with their granaries full. Onam
has a legend attached to it. In ancient times, an Asura King Mahabali
ruled Kerala. He extended his rules to the heavens and also the nether
world. So, the King of gods, Indra hatched a plot to oust him.
Disguised as a Brahmin and also a dwarf (vamana), he approached the
king and asked him to donate as much land he could cover in three
steps. As the King agreed, Vamana grew in size till he was as big as
the Universe. He took the first step and covered the earth, he covered
the heavens in the second step. Then and asked for the King's head for
his third step.
Kerala's most colourful festival, Onam celebrates the mythical King Mahabali and his golden rule. It welcomes the spirit of King Mahabali, and assures him that his people are happy and wish him well. The story says that gods feared the wise and good rule of Mahabali, the asura (demon) king, thinking that he might become too powerful. They sought the help of Vishnu or the preserver in the Hindu trinity, to curb Mahabali's power. Vishnu took the form of a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed to it. Vishnu as the dwarf increased his size and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the nether world. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step. He was pushed to the nether world but as Mahabali was so attached to his kingdom and the loved by his subjects, he was allowed by the gods to return once a year. Onam (Thiruonam) is celebrated on the day when King Mahabali comes from exile to visit his people.
Onam (Thiruonam) is
celebrated as the day of Mahabali return from exile. The festivities
begin ten days in advance and floral decorations (Pookkalam) adorn
every home. Caparisoned elephants in a spectacular procession,
fireworks and the Kathakali dances, are an integral part of the
festivities. The Vallamkali (boat race) is one of the main attractions
of Onam, and is best seen at Aranmulai and Kottayam. About a hundred
oarsmen row huge and graceful odee (boats) with scarlet silk umbrellas.
Their number denotes the affluence of the family owning the boat. Gold
coins and tassels hang from the umbrellas. Oars dip and flash to the
rhythm of drums and cymbals in each boat. In the evening girls perform
the Kaikottikkali
Upcoming Onam dates
The Festival is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called Chingam. Onam - The festival of colors would be celebrated in 12 Sep 2008 and later on 02 Sep 2009 in Kerala as per the Gregorian calendar.
Onam - The Festival of Boats
The thrilling snake boat race during Onam at the Aranmulla
temple has become one of the icons of Kerala tourism industry and
attracts thousands of tourists or visitors to the region. This
Aranmulla temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna and is
constructed on the shores of river Pamba, where the much-hyped event
takes place. The magnificent snakeboats or “chundan
vallams” are nearly thirty in number and are owned by the
villagers living besides the river
The stretch of the race extends from the hills to the low lying plains
that measure about forty kilometers. The oarsmen are dressed in white
dhotis and turbans and steer the boats while singing traditional boat
songs to the rhythm of their splashing oars in the water. The boat has
a golden lace at the head and the flag and the ornamental umbrella at
the center and forms an important part of this visual extravaganza. 
Throughout
the festival days till the eve of Thiru Onam, the boat known as
Palliodam sails from Katoormana and is accompanied by the music of drum
beating and blowing of conch shells. Such an event happens to memorize
the day when the boat could not move because of the hunger and pain of
the poor widow and her children and started moving only after they were
given enough food to satisfy their hunger. The prized snake boats
accompany the main boat and torches are lit to give it a godly look.
This colorful boat festival is held on the fifth day after Thiru Onam.
The villagers worship each boat like a deity and only men can touch it
and that too barefooted. The boats are always kept in excellent
conditions and are oiled with fish oil, coconut shell and carbon mixed
with eggs to keep the wood strong and boat slippery in water.
The Biggest day Of Onam - Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam is the biggest day of Onam. Festivities start early
at approximately four o'clock in the morning. Some activities during
the day include:
House Clean up, take early bath, wear new clothes and perform elaborate
prayers to seek divine blessings. A beautiful pookalam of flowers is
made on this day. It is to welcome the spirit of King Maveli. The
highlight of the day the feast called Onasadya.
Around 13 prescribed dishes are prepared for this lunch.
Onam Games
Onakalikal
involves many different types of Sports and energetic games played on
the occasion of Onam. After a sumptuous Onasadhya meal, these games are
perfect.
Talappanthukali
is an extremely popular ball game.
Ambeyyal is
nothing but Archery and it is popular to test the skill and patience of
the players. This too is played by men
KutuKutu is a game
similar to a game
similar to the popular game of Kabaddi played in several parts of
India. KutuKutu is a very entertaining game played during the festival
of Onam. It tests speed, tact and stamina.
Kayyankali
is an extremely violent combat game. Strong man play it one-on-one on
the occasion of Onam. There are no weapons used to fight in this game.
Attakalam is
another game of battle played on the occasion of Onam. Attakalam is not
as aggressive as the one above.
Legends of Onam
Like many other festivals of India, there are several legends
behind the festival of Onam too. Everyone in Kerala celebrates this
festival, especially Nambudiri Brahmins as they attribute its origin to
their own community.
The Legend of the King: It
is about the mythological King Mahabali who gave Kerala its golden age.
Popularity of the King could not be tolerated by Gods and they
surreptitiously send him to the nether world. Mahabali's request to
visit his people once in a year was granted by God. This annual visit
of King Mahabali is celebrated as Onam every year.This is the most
popular legend.
Boat Legend:
From this legend comes the tradition of feeding a poor family during
Onam . Story goes that once a boat laden with food got stuck in the
bend of a river. When a wise man boarding the boat, Bhattathiripad, fed
a poor and famished family living on the bank of river, only then the
boat could be maneuvered forward.
Boy in rags who is God:
The legend says that head of the Katoor Mana, a Nambudiri family had a
bath in the river Pampa and was waiting for a poor man to feed. He
suddenly saw a boy in rags. After having the meal, the boy vanished. He
was spotted near the Aranmulla temple but disappeared again. Brahmin
concluded the boy was God himself. Since then, Brahmins bring food to
Aranmulla temple every year.